Author: sarah

Spoilers: What Kind of Day Has It Been

Disclaimer: not mine, 'nuff said

Summary: POTUS reflects.

Author's note: This is just something I came up with.

~

I brush the hair off Zoe's face and she murmurs in her sleep. In the
dim light from the hallway I can see the tear tracks that course
across her face but for now, as she lay asleep in her bed, she wasn't
feeling the pain and anguish that had caused those tears.

I can admit to myself that Charlie would not have been my first
choice for a boyfriend for Zoe. But, as Leo and Abby told me time and
again, Zoe is my youngest girl, my baby, and I really don't think any man is
good enough for her.

But I saw them together and saw how close they had become. I came to
understand their relationship. Charlie was a good kid and had had a
great future in front of him. More importantly, he respected Zoe and
treated her well - that's what I want for my daughters. Elizabeth,
Christine and Megan all found it, and I was glad when it seemed that
Zoe had as well.

But now she is going through an anguish that no nineteen-year-old
should have to bear. She had cried herself to sleep in her mother's
arms and I just looked on, helpless. I'm called the most powerful
man in the world, but I couldn't end the pain my youngest daughter was
feeling. I hadn't been able to prevent this from occurring and then
I couldn't prevent her heart from being broken. I was helpless, and it
was killing me.

I frowned, looking down at my daughter. I know I need to go and get
some sleep. I have to speak to the nation in a few hours and then I
have to fulfill my duties as President. We have work to do on so
many issues and all of them, at least while I am working, will have to
take a backseat to my daughter's pain. It is part of my job, and one of
the worst aspects of it.

Abby comes in and touches my arm. She doesn't say anything but I
know what she is thinking just as she knows what I am. It's what comes
from a long marriage. I had recently begun hoping that Charlie and
Zoe would know that feeling, but now I have to push that idea from my
mind.

I stand and grab my wife in a hug. We stand there, still silent, our
arms around one another. As I begin to cry, she just continues to
hold me as she did Zoe. I have always known she is the strong one in
the relationship.

"Let's go to bed, Jed," she whispers in my ear.

I nod, then gently push her to the door. "Just one minute."

She turns and walks out of the room, knowing what I need. I turn
back to my daughter and lean over, planting a light kiss on her forehead.
"Good night, Zoe."

I walk out of the room and gently shut the door behind me. Abby is
waiting for me, as well as the usual Secret Service agents. She
takes my hand and leans her head on my shoulder. "I love you, Jed," she
murmurs as we walk to our bedroom.

"I love you, too."

End